HC Deb 09 February 1999 vol 325 cc198-9W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and which are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner. [69912]

Ms Hewitt

One executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor' s departments has a statutory base. It is the Policyholders Protection Board, created by the Policyholders Protection Act 1975.

The ambit of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration does not extend to the conduct of the Board's business.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69982]

Ms Hewitt

There is one executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor's departments. It is the Policyholders Protection Board. The Board:

  1. (a) does not admit members of the public to board meetings or committee meetings;
  2. (b) does not hold public meetings;
  3. (c) includes a representative of policyholders interests in accordance with the Policyholders Protection Act, 1975;
  4. (d) does not operate a formal appeal or complaints procedure.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of members' interests; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69942]

Ms Hewitt

There is one executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor's departments. It is the Policyholders Protection Board.

The Board does not publish the minutes of meetings, agendas of meetings, documents for those meetings, or a register of members' interests. It does, however, publish an annual report, and there are statutory provisions on disclosure of members' interests in matters falling to be considered by the Board.